U.S., South Korea start talks on missile defense system

The U.S. Pentagon says Washington and Seoul have started formal talks on deploying an advanced missile defense system in South Korea.

U.S. military officials say the system, called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, would be “focused solely” on the DPRK, and that the talks show Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to defend South Korea.

Earlier, South Korean officials say the talks will be held in response to nuclear tests and missile launches by Pyongyang.

The DPRK says it successfully launched an Earth observation satellite into orbit on Sunday, about a month after it claimed it had successfully exploded its first hydrogen bomb.

China has expressed deep concerns over the decision by the U.S. and South Korea to launch an official negotiation on the deployment of THAAD.